Formula One is not a sport?

Thats what Indian ministry thinks of F1. It is entertainment.

The ministry of sports in January 2009 wrote to JPSK Sports, the promoters of Formula One in the country, that their request for getting approval for remittance of $36.5 million to be paid to Formula One Administration for holding an F1 race in India had been rejected on the grounds that “it (the race) would have no impact on the development of sports in the country”.

“F1 is not purely sports. It is entertainment and this venture by JKSP is a commercial initiative,” said a ministry source. In fact, the letter states that F1 will not have an impact on Indian sports “in terms of either participation, broad-basing or promotion of excellence”.

“The proposed F1 race does not satisfy conditions which focus on human endeavour for excelling in competition with others, keeping in view the whole sports movement from Olympics downwards,” said the source.

Ministry thinks that this money can be spent on development of disciplines which have a wider base in the country.

Does that make holding F1 in India tougher? No says Sameer Gaur, MD, JPSK Sports.

“Yes, we went to the ministry seeking government concessions. If need be, we will go again. We are 200 per cent committed to the F1 race in India. We are building a motor car racing track capable of holding an F1 race. It could be used for other purposes too, like a motorbike race. We have an obligation to the UP govt,”

“We got the land three-four months ago and we are getting ready for 2011. In fact, sports ministry is not the nodal agency for the F1 race.

But as I said, if need be we will go to Dr M S Gill with a request again. F1 race will have a lot of spin-offs as far as the tourism industry is concerned. It’s good for the country,”